The Stone Shields Show

Cincinnati Reds Offseason Conversation With Mark Sheldon, Hunter Greene Trade Rumors, Kyle Schwarber, Bearcats Win Ugly vs. Dayton

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we talk with Mark Sheldon of MLB.com on the Cincinnati Reds offseason, including potentially trading Hunter Greene and Kyle Schwarber free agency rumors, also Stone reacts to Cincinnati's ugly win vs. Dayton and rolls through Wednesday's sports headlines.
The Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) face a must-win scenario in Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, November 16, at Acrisure Stadium. Trailing in the AFC North, the Bengals desperately need a victory to salvage their playoff hopes, especially after a gritty 24-17 win over Pittsburgh in Week 7, where Joe Flacco stepped in admirably, throwing for 342 yards. However, with Joe Burrow's status uncertain amid injury whispers, the offense hinges on Ja'Marr Chase's explosiveness and a resurgent ground game led by Chase Brown.
The Steelers enter as 5.5-point favorites, with a total of 49.5 points signaling a high-scoring affair. Pittsburgh's defense, anchored by T.J. Watt, has terrorized quarterbacks, while their run-heavy attack with Najee Harris exploits Cincinnati's leaky front seven. Yet, the Bengals boast a perfect 2-0 divisional record this season and cover +5.5 in models like ESPN's, thanks to their pass rush disrupting Ben Roethlisberger's successor. Expect a revenge-fueled battle—Bengals ML +195 offers value for underdogs hungry to flip the script.
Fresh off their first postseason berth since 2013, the Cincinnati Reds are buzzing with free agency ambition, and Kyle Schwarber tops the wishlist. ESPN's Jeff Passan calls signing the slugging DH the "perfect transaction" to turbocharge an offense that slashed .240 collectively in 2025. The Cincinnati native crushed 47 homers with an .928 OPS for the Phillies, thriving in a hitter-friendly park like GABP, where his pull power could yield 50+ dingers annually.
Rumors hinge on a $60 million variable—Schwarber's Phillies loyalty versus Cincy's hometown pull and deeper pockets post-playoff revenue. A projected six-year, $150M deal could pair him with Elly De La Cruz for a fearsome core, transforming the Reds into NL Central contenders. Local ties ignite belief: Schwarber to Reds feels destined, per insiders, bridging nostalgia with firepower for 2026 glory. 
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Reds #HunterGreene #TheStoneShieldsShow

Joe Burrow Returning Thanksgiving Night? Cincinnati vs. Dayton Preview With Keegan Nickoson, NFL Power Rankings, NY Giants Made A Mistake

On today's show Keegan Nickoson of Bearcat Journal joins Stone to discuss tonight's UC vs. Dayton game, we talk about Joe Burrow potentially returning for Thanksgiving night after practicing yesterday, NFL Week 11 Power Rankings, and why the Giants made a mistake keeping Joe Schoen after firing Brian Daboll.
In a boost for the floundering Cincinnati Bengals, star quarterback Joe Burrow returned to practice on Monday, November 10, 2025, as the team designated him to return from injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window. Sidelined since Week 2 with a Grade III turf toe injury requiring surgery on his right big toe, Burrow has been absent for nearly two months, contributing to the Bengals' dismal 3-6 start and third-place standing in the AFC North. The injury, initially projected as season-ending, has seen Burrow defy expectations, accelerating his rehab timeline.
Burrow participated in limited drills, focusing on footwork and passing without full contact, and remains on IR until activation—potentially as soon as this week, though he confirmed he won't suit up for Sunday's clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The window, expiring December 1, gives coaches Zac Taylor and Dan Pitcher flexibility to ramp up his workload while preserving roster spots. Burrow's optimism shone through post-practice: "It would be 'very' meaningful to play Thanksgiving night vs. the Ravens," he said, alluding to the heated rivalry that has defined recent playoff battles. When pressed if Baltimore on November 27 (Week 13) is his target, the 28-year-old paused thoughtfully: "We'll see."
For a Bengals squad leaking points at 33.3 per game defensively, Burrow's return could be transformative. Cincinnati's offense, sans its field general, has leaned on backup Jake Browning's steady hand but lacks the explosiveness that propelled them to the Super Bowl in 2021. A Thanksgiving debut against Lamar Jackson's Ravens—tied atop the division at 7-2—would ignite Who Dey Nation, especially with the AFC North "wide open" per Burrow. Fantasy managers, take note: Stash him now during the bye, as a December surge looms
Burrow's resilience mirrors his career arc—from 2020 debut to MVP-caliber 2023. If he navigates the toe's lingering pain without setback, expect vintage deep balls to Ja'Marr Chase by month's end. The Bengals' playoff hopes, dim at 3-6, flicker brighter. As Burrow quipped, "Limitless hopes" ahead. 
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball 2-0, Bengals Offseason Plan, NFL MVP Race, Aaron Rodgers Plays His Worst Game Ever? CFB Whiparound

On today's show we discuss the UC Bearcats basketball team improving to 2-0 with a matchup against the Dayton Flyers tomorrow night, Bengals offseason plan, NFL MVP race, Aaron Rodgers' horrible performance on Sunday Night Football and why Fernando Mendoza actually hurt his Heisman campaign. 
The AFC North rivalry reignites on November 16 when the Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) invade Acrisure Stadium to face the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4). Fresh off a Week 10 bye, Cincinnati enters rested and hungry, aiming to exploit a Pittsburgh squad reeling from a humiliating 25-10 primetime drubbing at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. The Steelers' third loss in four games has tightened the division race, with Baltimore lurking just one game back at 4-5.
For the Bengals, the bye couldn't come soon enough. A brutal stretch saw them drop five of six, including a 31-20 gut-punch to the Jets in Week 8. Joe Burrow, nursing a nagging wrist issue, used the downtime for targeted rehab, while coordinators schemed ways to revive an offense averaging a measly 17.8 points per game. Ja'Marr Chase remains a matchup nightmare, but Cincy's run game—led by Chase Brown—must grind out possessions to keep Pittsburgh's ferocious front seven at bay. The rest advantage is real: Teams off byes are 12-8 straight-up this season, per early trends.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is a powder keg. Mike Tomlin's crew dominated early (4-1 start) but has sputtered offensively, mustering just 159 yards in the Chargers loss—0-for-9 on third downs. Russell Wilson looked pedestrian, sacked four times, as L.A.'s Justin Herbert carved up the secondary for 248 yards and two scores. The Steel Curtain defense, anchored by T.J. Watt's league-leading 9.5 sacks, held firm (limiting Chargers to 3-of-13 on third down), but turnovers and red-zone inefficiency doomed them. Najee Harris needs volume to spark the ground attack, especially with divisional pride on the line—this is the rematch after Cincy's win a couple weeks ago.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Bengals Bye Week Talk With Richard Skinner, College Football Weekend Preview, Bo Nix Struggles, Best Bets Of The Weekend

On today's show Stone talks all things Bengals with Local 12's Richard Skinner, assesses Bo Nix' struggles on Thursday Night Football, rolls through his weekly College Football Weekend Preview and his Best Bets Of The Weekend.
Heading into their Week 10 bye on November 7, 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals sit at 3-6, a record that masks a tale of two teams: an offense firing on all cylinders under Joe Flacco's steady hand, and a defense that's not just bad—it's etching itself into the annals of NFL infamy. Paul Brown Stadium buzzes with cautious optimism for the attack, but the back end's collapse has fans dreaming of duct tape and prayer.
Joe Flacco, the 40-year-old bridge quarterback thrust into the spotlight amid Joe Burrow's latest injury woes, has been nothing short of revelatory. In six starts, he's posted a 105.2 passer rating, slicing defenses with a 71% completion clip and 12 touchdowns to just three picks. His pocket presence—honed from two Super Bowl runs—has unlocked the Bengals' weapons. Ja'Marr Chase is a one-man highlight reel, scorching secondaries for 1,100 yards and nine scores, while Tee Higgins' midseason return has added a vertical terror, averaging 18 yards per catch. The run game? Revitalized, with Chase Brown pounding out 650 yards at 5.2 per carry, feeding off an offensive line that's gelled into a mauling unit. They've erupted for 31 points per game over the last four outings, turning shootouts into symphonies. Flacco's veteran savvy—calling audibles like a chess master—has this group humming, a far cry from the Burrow-less sputters of years past.
Yet, for all the offensive fireworks, the defense is a dumpster fire of historic proportions. Surrendering 35 points per contest—the worst in franchise lore and bottom-feeder league-wide—they've allowed 4,200 total yards already, more than most full seasons. The secondary is Swiss cheese: corners like Cam Taylor-Britt and Mike Hilton torched for 1,200 passing yards and 12 TDs, with safeties Vonn Bell and Jordan Battle whiffing tackles like pros at a piñata party. Up front, the pass rush is anemic—eight sacks total, none from a depleted D-line missing B.J. Hill to injury. Run stuffers? Laughable, coughing up 160 yards per game on the ground. Lou Anarumo's schemes look like relics from the West Coast offense era.
Zac Taylor's squad enters the break with a prayer: harness the bye for scheme tweaks and youth infusions. Offense can carry them to 9-8 and a wild-card sniff, but without defensive voodoo—trades? Miracles?—this Bengal pride risks another winter of what-ifs. Flacco's magic buys time, but history whispers: firepower alone doesn't forge rings. Fans roar for resurrection; the D must awaken, or it's just Bengal fireworks fizzling in the Ohio chill
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Cincinnati Bearcats Hoops With Hudson Klauke, Shon Abaev & Baba Miller The Real Deal? Kyle Schwarber To Reds Rumors, Matt LaFleur Hot Seat?

On today's show we discuss the latest rumors on Kyle Schwarber joining the Cincinnati Reds, Stone chats with Hudson Klauke about Shon Abaev, Baba Miller & UC hoops, NFL mock draft from The Athletic + is Matt LaFleur on the hot seat?
In the swirling vortex of MLB free agency speculation, few names ignite Ohioan hearts quite like Kyle Schwarber's. The burly left-handed slugger, fresh off another cannonball season with the Phillies—where he mashed 47 homers and drew walks like a magnet—has suddenly become the belle of the Reds' rumor ball. As the 2025-26 offseason heats up, Cincinnati's front office, under Nick Krall's steady hand, is reportedly eyeing a seismic shift: luring Schwarber home to the banks of the Ohio River. Born in Middletown, just a stone's throw from Great American Ball Park, Schwarber's Midwestern roots make this feel less like a signing and more like a homecoming barbecue.
The chatter kicked off in late October, fueled by anonymous whispers from "NL Central insiders" at the Winter Meetings prelude. Picture this: Schwarber, the ultimate three-true-outcomes beast (home runs, walks, strikeouts), slotting into the Reds' revamped lineup alongside Elly De La Cruz's fireworks and Matt McLain's grit. Great American, with its short porches and hitter-friendly confines, could turn Schwarber into a 50-homer demigod, boosting a rotation still smarting from Hunter Greene's injury woes. Rumor has it the Reds are dangling a five-year, $125 million pact—player-friendly opt-outs included—to outbid suitors like the Cubs (ironic family reunion?) or Yankees, who crave his October thunder.
But oh, the caveats! Schwarber's defensive "adventures" in left field—more adventure than acumen—might clash with the Reds' youth movement. And at 33, is he the long-term anchor or a bridge to contention? Fans in Cincy dream of him launching moonshots over the river, channeling Pete Rose's fire with modern power. Yet skeptics point to Philly's reluctance to let him walk, given his clubhouse glue role. If it happens, it's poetic: the Middletown Hammer returning to swing for the fences in red. For now, it's all smoke and mirrors—delicious, Reds-tinted smoke. Will it ignite? Stay tuned; the hot stove's just warming up.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Bengals Trade Deadline Fallout, CFB Top 10 After First College Football Playoff Rankings, Colts Make HUGE Mistake

On today's editon of the show we discuss Cincinnati Bengals fallout after the trade deadline, discuss the 3 major trades that went down in the NFL yesterday, why the Seahawks won big and the Colts lost, College Football Top 10 after first College Football Playoff Rankings and sports headlines including Duke's win over Texas and the Bulls' comeback win over the 76ers.
On a fateful November Tuesday in 2025, as the trade deadline clock ticked down, the Cincinnati Bengals pulled off their lone maneuver: shipping linebacker Logan Wilson to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 seventh-round pick. Duke Tobin's quixotic swap didn't just stun the Queen City—it ignited a firestorm of second-guessing that could scorch the franchise's playoff hopes. In a season already teetering on Burrow's bum wrist and a defense riddled with holes, this felt less like strategy and more like surrender.
Wilson, the Wyoming product turned Bengal beast, was no ordinary cog. Since his 2020 third-round selection, he'd amassed 245 tackles, four picks, and a sideline-to-sideline menace that masked the unit's vulnerabilities. At 29, he was the vocal leader, the coverage maestro who neutralized stars like Travis Kelce and CeeDee Lamb in past clashes. Trading him away? It's akin to yanking the keystone from an archway—everything wobbles. With Germaine Pratt sidelined and rookie prospects unproven, the Bengals' linebacker corps now looks like a ghost town, primed for exploitation by divisional bruisers like Baltimore's Derrick Henry.
And for what? A seventh-rounder, the draft's afterthought, a flier that might net a long-snapper or a camp body. Dallas, ever the opportunists under Jerry Jones, slots Wilson seamlessly into their revamped front seven, bolstering Micah Parsons' chaos and fortifying against NFC East slugfests. It's a heist that elevates the Cowboys' Super Bowl odds while leaving Cincinnati clutching vapors.
Tobin's defense? Salary cap gymnastics and a pivot to "versatile youth." But with Ja'Marr Chase demanding targets amid offensive woes, gutting the D for pocket lint reeks of shortsightedness. Fan fury erupted on Bengals boards—jersey bonfires, #FireDuke trending—echoing the 2023 collapse. As December looms with Ravens rematches and Steelers grudge matches, this move isn't bold; it's baffling. The Bengals, once AFC North predators, now prowl as prey. That seventh-round dream might sprout a diamond, but Wilson's void will echo louder in the cold. In a league of sharks, Cincinnati just fed the chum line.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Bengals Trade Logan Wilson To Cowboys, NFL Power Rankings, Hugh Freeze Replacements, Francona Manger OTY Finalist

On today's show Stone reacts to the Bengals trading Logan Wilson to the Cowboys, breaks down his power rankings going into Week 10, discusses some Hugh Freeze replacements at Auburn and talks about Terry Francona being a finalist for Manger of the Year.
In a gut-wrenching pivot that reeks of surrender, the Cincinnati Bengals have shipped off defensive anchor Logan Wilson to the Dallas Cowboys for a measly 2026 seventh-round draft pick. The trade, finalized on the eve of the deadline, underscores a franchise in freefall—sitting at 3-6 with a defense hemorrhaging yards and points. Wilson, the 28-year-old Wyoming product who's patrolled the middle for Cincinnati since 2020, was unceremoniously benched last week for rookie phenom Barrett Carter. Now, he's gone, leaving a leadership vacuum in a locker room already reeling from injuries to key pieces like Sam Hubbard and DJ Reader.
Drafted in the third round, Wilson evolved into a tackling machine: 450 stops, 5.5 sacks, four picks, and back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances in 2022-23. His rangy coverage and bone-crushing hits were linchpins during the Bengals' 2021 Super Bowl charge. Locked into a team-friendly four-year, $13.3 million extension through 2026, he seemed like the glue holding Lou Anarumo's scheme together. But with Joe Burrow's $275 million albatross and Ja'Marr Chase's extension looming, cap constraints forced Duke Tobin's hand. Trading a proven captain for late-round lottery tickets? It's the kind of "asset management" that fans label as malpractice, sparking boycotts and viral rants across Who Dey Nation.
For Dallas, it's highway robbery. The 5-4 Cowboys, limping through linebacker carnage—DeMarvion Overshown's ACL tear and Leighton Vander Esch's heartbreaking retirement—snag Wilson at fire-sale prices. A Texas kid returning home, he'll slide seamlessly into Mike Zimmer's aggressive front, turbocharging a run defense mired at 22nd in the league. Imagine him scheming alongside Micah Parsons and Damone Clark: explosive blitzes, sure tackles, and maybe a NFC East crown. Jerry Jones, ever the opportunist, hoards cap space for Dak Prescott's payday while flipping the script on a middling season.
This deal exposes Cincinnati's crossroads: full rebuild or desperate patch? Wilson's void exposes green talent like Carter and Oren Burks to the wolves, testing resolve in a brutal AFC North. Dallas, meanwhile, reloads for a Lombardi chase. In the NFL's cutthroat calculus, a seventh-rounder might birth the next gem—or just another bust. For now, it's Wilson's Lone Star redemption arc, and the Bengals' harsh reality check. Football's poetry in motion, served with a side of regret.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Bengals IMPOSSIBLY Bad Defense Ruins Joe Flacco Masterclass, Dodgers Steal World Series After All Time Game 7

On today's edition of the show, we discuss another horrid performance for the Bengals defensively in a back-breaking loss to the Bears, Zac Taylor & Duke Tobin, Joe Flacco's all time performance and the Dodgers stealing the World Series after an incredible Game 7.
In a game that had everything but a happy ending for Cincinnati, the Bengals fell 47-42 to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in a fourth-quarter thriller that encapsulated their maddening 2025 season. What began with Charlie Jones' electric 98-yard kickoff return touchdown just 11 seconds in devolved into yet another devastating loss, dropping the Bengals to a dismal 3-6 and burying any faint playoff hopes deeper.
Joe Flacco, filling in admirably for the injured Joe Burrow, etched his name in the record books with a career-high 470 passing yards—his second straight monster outing in defeat. Tee Higgins torched Chicago for 121 yards and two scores, including a 44-yard bomb that gave Cincinnati a halftime edge at 20-17. Ja'Marr Chase added 111 yards on six catches, proving the Bengals' offense remains an explosive force capable of 42 points. They even rallied from a 41-27 deficit late, with Flacco hitting Noah Fant for a touchdown, a successful two-point conversion to Higgins, and an onside kick recovery by Joseph Ossai leading to a go-ahead score to Andrei Iosivas with 54 seconds left.
But devastation struck when Bears quarterback Caleb Williams— in a performance for the ages—scrambled for 14 yards before lofting a 58-yard game-winner to Colston Loveland with 17 seconds to play. Loveland shook off two Bengals defenders to seal it, highlighting Cincinnati's porous defense, dead last in the NFL, which surrendered a staggering 576 total yards, including 283 on the ground from Kyle Monangai's 176-yard rampage.
This marks the Bengals' sixth high-scoring loss (30+ points) in the last year-plus, a cruel pattern that screams squandered potential. At 3-6 after their bye, facing Pittsburgh next on November 16 feels like a funeral march. Burrow's absence looms large, but even with firepower, the D's black hole devours dreams. Fans are left reeling—another "what if" in a season of soul-crushing near-misses. How much more can the Queen City take?
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Another Bengals Trade Request, Bengals vs. Bears, College Football Weekend Preview, Best Bets Of The Weekend, Fire Mike McDaniel?

On today's show we discuss the latest Bengals trade request, preview Bengals vs. Bears, react to Thursday Night Football as Stone explains why the Dolphins easily could have had the lead at halftime, college football weekend preview ft. Vanderbilt vs. Texas, Oklahoma vs. Tennessee & Cincinnati vs. Utah + Stone's Best Bets Of The Weekend.
In a stunning development just days before the NFL trade deadline, Cincinnati Bengals second-year defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson has formally requested a trade or outright release from the team, marking the third such plea from a Bengals defender this season. The news, first reported by ESPN's Ben Baby, underscores mounting frustrations within a Bengals defense that has surrendered the third-most rushing yards in the league through eight games, ranking 29th overall in points allowed. 
Jackson, selected 96th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, entered the league with high expectations as a disruptive interior lineman. At 6-foot-2 and 328 pounds, he boasted a college pedigree of 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks over two seasons with the Aggies, drawing comparisons to a young B.J. Hill for his quick first step and run-stuffing prowess. Yet, his rookie year was marred by a knee injury that limited him to just six games, where he recorded a modest 12 tackles and no sacks. This 2025 campaign has been even more perplexing: Jackson has been a healthy scratch for five of eight contests under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, logging only 18 snaps in the two appearances he did make. 
The timing of Jackson's request is particularly telling, coming on the heels of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (who sought a trade in Week 5 over contract disputes) and linebacker Logan Wilson (who followed suit last week, citing limited snaps in sub-packages). Sources indicate Jackson's dissatisfaction stems from a perceived lack of opportunity behind veterans like Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill, coupled with whispers of a looming contract extension that feels premature given his bench role. "It's a cry for playing time where he can develop," one league insider told Bleacher Report, noting Jackson's raw talent remains untapped. 
For the Bengals (4-4), already reeling from injuries to key pieces like D.J. Reader, this exodus signals deeper schematic issues. GM Duke Tobin faces a high-stakes decision by November 4: Trade Jackson—a former top-100 pick—for a mid-round pick or risk losing him to free agency in 2027 on a prove-it deal. Potential suitors include run-weak fronts like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Detroit Lions, where Jackson could slot in as a rotational piece immediately.  If no deal materializes, a release seems unlikely, but it could further erode locker room morale.
As Cincinnati prepares for a pivotal Thursday night clash with the Chicago Bears, Jackson's saga encapsulates a Bengals defense at a crossroads—talented on paper, but fractured in execution. Will Tobin pull the trigger, or double down on continuity? The deadline clock is ticking, and Who Dey Nation holds its breath.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

Bengals News On Joe Flacco & Trade Deadline, Ravens vs. Dolphins Preview, Blue Jays Roll In Game 5 Behind Rookie Trey Yesavage

On today's edition of the show we discuss Joe Flacco's outlook for Bears game due to AC joint injury, Bengals trade deadline conversation, Thursday Night Football preview and Trey Yesavage's dominance in Game 5 of the World Series.
As the Cincinnati Bengals prepare to host the Chicago Bears this Sunday in Week 9, the shadow of quarterback Joe Burrow's injury continues to darken their playoff hopes. Burrow, the 2022 NFL passing yards leader, has been sidelined since early October after suffering a severe turf toe injury to his left big toe during a Week 4 loss to the Ravens. Requiring surgery, the ailment—a ligament tear in the toe joint—typically demands three months of recovery, pushing his anticipated return to mid-December. Head coach Zac Taylor provided an encouraging update Wednesday, noting Burrow's rehab is progressing "as hoped" with no setbacks, though he offered no revised timeline. Fans caught a glimpse of optimism when Burrow was spotted boot-free at practice this week, a step forward from his sidelined appearances in a protective walking boot.
For this weekend's matchup, Burrow's absence is all but certain, compounding the Bengals' quarterback carousel. Veteran Joe Flacco, who stepped in admirably with 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns in four starts, now grapples with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder sustained against the Jets. Taylor labeled Flacco's status a "50-50" proposition after he skipped Wednesday's practice, leaving third-stringer Jake Browning as the likely starter. Browning, who went 1-2 in Burrow's initial absence, brings poise but lacks the star power to elevate a 3-5 Bengals squad already battered by injuries to key defenders like Trey Hendrickson.
The ripple effects are stark: Cincinnati's offense, once explosive under Burrow's precision (career 68% completion rate), has sputtered without him, averaging just 18 points per game in his starts' void. Facing a Bears defense that's forced 12 turnovers despite their own secondary woes, the Bengals enter as +2.5 underdogs. Social media buzz reflects the frustration—posts joking about Burrow suiting up underscore the desperation. 
Yet, silver linings emerge. Burrow's December target aligns with a softer late-season slate, potentially fueling a playoff push if the Bengals string wins together. For now, though, this Bears tilt tests their depth, resilience, and whether Browning can channel Burrow's cool amid the chaos. At 3-5, every snap without No. 9 feels like borrowed time in a brutal AFC North.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow